Warrant in hand, Tewksbury police wait for evidence to emerge

TEWKSBURY -- Tewksbury police have sought a search warrant for the bowel movements of an illegal immigrant suspected of swallowing heroin they believe he intended to sell in Lawrence.

According to a police report, undercover officers pulled over Raul Sanchez-Gomez and Hector Guerrero, who they suspected were planning to sell 20 grams of heroin.

A police dog was unable to find any drugs. But cops said Sanchez-Gomez had to be removed from the car and that an officer was prepared to give the Heimlich maneuver as Sanchez-Gomez appeared to be choking while trying to swallow the drugs.

The report states that fingerprints showed warrants for Sanchez-Gomez in Lawrence and that Guerrero was arrested in Laredo, Texas, for "alien inadmissibility."

Prints also showed that both were in the country illegally and that Guerrero was currently under removal proceedings. Sanchez-Gomez had applied for a visa, but was denied in 2015.

According to police, immigration agents said they would be sending a detainer for both individuals.

Two detectives reported that the two suspects had sold them heroin, according to a police report. Police seized $545 from Guerrero and $72 from Sanchez-Gomez, according to a police report.

Detectives said that surveillance on Sanchez-Gomez in jail raised suspicions he may have hid some drugs in his buttocks because his pants were "partially undone." The water of Sanchez-Gomez's toilet was shut off to prevent flushing any potential drugs.

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He refused to take a laxative and told cops he didn't need to use the toilet, according to a police report.

Tewksbury Police Chief Timothy Sheehan revealed late Monday afternoon that Sanchez-Gomez remains under surveillance at the Billerica House of Correction and has not passed any drugs at this point.

"He did make a bowel movement at the Lowell District Court on the day of his arraignment before the court officers were aware of the situation and the search warrant, but we are not sure he would have passed something that size and quantity that quickly," Sheehan said.

Both Sanchez-Gomez and Guerrero were charged with conspiracy to traffick drugs. Guerrero was also charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

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